any of a group of acetic esters of cellulose, used to make yarns, textiles, nonflammable photographic films, rubber and celluloid substitutes, etc.
Origin
1890-95
Examples from the web for cellulose acetate
To make them, cellulose is extracted from plant sources, and reacted chemically to make cellulose acetate.
Cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate, a plastic that degrades slowly in the environment, if at all.
British Dictionary definitions for cellulose acetate
cellulose acetate
noun
1.
nonflammable material made by acetylating cellulose: used in the manufacture of film, dopes, lacquers, and artificial fibres
cellulose acetate in Science
cellulose acetate Any of several compounds obtained by treating cellulose with acetic anhydride. Cellulose acetate is used in lacquers, photographic film, transparent sheeting, and cigarette filters. Also called acetate, cellulose.